Entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Disneyland guests will enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge from one of three entrances in Fanstasyland, Frontierland, and Critter Country. The entry in each of these locations will be an enclosed passageway. This is done to give visitors a compressed, then expanded view of the land as they get closer. It was described by Barron’s as similar to a movie fading in and out. This will give visitors a perfectly framed view of the land as they enter.

Where in the Galaxy is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?

When you are in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge you’ll be in the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu. Black Spire was mentioned in last year’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, and is featured in the Star Wars novel Thrawn: Alliances.

This area was selected as the destination for the land so that casual and devoted fans will both feel comfortable in the land. Casual fans won’t feel they are missing a part of the story, and devoted fans will appreciate the detail of the location they have heard of in passing.

As with other lands, and dating all the way back to when Disney created films like Bambi, the Imagineers conducted immersive, real-world research. To complete their research and get inspiration, the Imagineers traveled to Morocco and Istanbul. You’ll also find the magic in the details, as always with Disney. There are rust streaks on the corners of metal grates, weathered looking buildings, and maybe even some doors coming off their hinges.

When Barron’s was in the land they also saw a mix of real and “created” trees. The fake trees were designed with trees native to Southern California as their inspiration. Real trees have been sourced by Disney horticultural staff and they were chosen, sourced, planted — and they are now protecting those trees as construction continues. Barron’s even saw a sign on a real tree that said “The cost to replace this tree is $9,000. Please respect all trees and keep this area clean.”

Details on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Barron’s provided a few more details on the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction. You may need to look for the entrance to the ride as it is subtly marked according to Barron’s, so it doesn’t disrupt the storytelling and look of the land. We learned that the pirate Hondo Ohnaka has made a deal to use the Millennium Falcon with Chewbacca. Once in the Millennium Falcon you’ll find familiar details including Chewbacca’s 3D chess board!

You’ll board the Millennium Falcon in groups of six and be assigned roles, and you’ll be able to see real-time results of your actions during the ride (like if you knock over a spire during take off). The flight experience will be different for each visit, so no memorizing the ride or planning out what you’ll do, as each experience will be different.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction

We have been hearing about this land being the most interactive one yet. An example of the interactivity is after your complete this ride when you stop at Oga’s Cantina someone might tell you the boss isn’t happy with the shape the ship is in after your return, or conversely someone may congratulate you on your performance. Don’t worry, if the interactivity isn’t for you, you can opt in or out of the interactive element of visiting the land.

Details on Rise of the Resistance Ride

The queue system for this ride will have you winding though rundown rooms that have been re-purposed by the Resistance to be a base for their operations against the First Order.

Details on Rise of the Resistance Ride

While you’re waiting a group of guests may be “captured” and moved by the enemy before you escape on a trackless troop transport. Along the way you’ll see various scenes and characters including Storm Troopers and Kylo Ren. Barron’s even suggested you’ll see an interrogation similar to one in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. As you’re in the transport you’ll have to avoid or escape from war machines and AT-AT Walkers. Barron’s promised the towering, metal AT-AT Walkers will not disappoint.

Details on Oga’s Cantina

Oga’s Cantina holds one big first for Disneyland: it will be the first public restaurant to serve alcohol in the park. By design and for aesthetic and story-telling reasons, the Cantina is small. To maximize capacity (and turnover) there will be only a handful of booths with seating. Most guests will stand in the Cantina. No final decision has been made about if and how guests will be able to reserve tables in the Cantina according to Barron’s.

As you order a drink, be sure to look above the bar — there are tubes and vessels behind the bar that might make it look like your drink is flowing from the ceiling!

As for drinks, the famed Blue Milk will be available. This will be a non-dairy drink. Disney was not clear with Barron’s on whether this would be sold exclusively in the Cantina, or also by a bantha farmer (likely in the outdoor marketplace). Barron’s also heard them mention a Fuzzy Tauntaun — but they don’t know if this a planned drink as menus are still in development.

Details on Shops, Stores, and Markets in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Barron’s learned that one of the shops in the land will feature customizable droids. They gave an example that if you make your droid to be afraid of a Storm Trooper it may signal fear when one comes close. Droids that are owned by the same family or group may recognize each other when they meet. No pricing was disclosed on these customizable droids. Barron’s also hints a full-size R2-D2 may be available with a price tag in the thousands.

Dok-Ondar, from Solo: A Star Wars Story, will oversee the other shop in the land. Barron’s suggests he may be an animatronic and even cast members will interact with him when they check if he’s willing to let certain items go.

Guests will also find a bazaar-style outdoor market in the land, which may include a pod-racing engine used to roast meat, according to Barron’s.

In a separate interview with Barron’s, Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO, is quoted as saying; “When Star Wars opens in Anaheim in June and in Florida later in the year, that’s adding capacity. You’re adding 14 acres of land (each), more rides and more for people to do. It’s the biggest land we’ve ever built.”

A look at Disneyland’s Blockout Calendar shows the Southern California Select Annual Pass with blockout dates from May 31 – September 2. The Deluxe Annual Pass has blockout dates from June 21 – August 18. Your guess is as good as ours right now as to an exact date in June for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland.

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Sarah has built a career in communications and marketing that started when she was the editor of her high school newspaper. She has written for AllEars.net since 2018, and enjoys sharing Disney news and updates with the AllEars community. She's been a Disney fan ever since her first visit to Walt Disney World when she was 5, and has been known to arrange trips around visiting a Disney park!

I dont think it will open later than the 1st-2nd week of December UNLESS it is delayed and if that happens it will not open until after New Years. Very seriously doubt Disney will open Galaxy’s Edge during Christmas/New Years.

We are planning a trip to Disney World at the end of November. My husband is a huge Star Wars fan, has been since he saw Star Wars: A New Hope in the theater when he was 7 years old. He’s turning 50 this year and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate this mile stone than going to Disney! I can’t wait to see his face as we walk into Galaxy’s Edge for the first time. I’m almost as excited about watching his face as I when I watched my daughters’ faces the first time they saw Cinderella’s Castle.